Reduced arrival of onions behind price hike: Dikshit

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Wednesday said less arrival of onions in the city was the reason for increased prices of the vegetable bulbs.

She added that the government was exploring all possibilities to stabilise the price.

"Due to natural calamities like cyclone and unprecedented rains in other states, the arrival of onions in Delhi has decreased. But we are exploring all the possibilities to stabilise the price rise," she said at a press conference.

Dikshit also said that around 250 vans have been pressed into service for selling onions to the people at a reasonable price.

She said the government was taking help of agencies like NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperating Marketing Federation of India).

"We have requested NAFED to give us a plan to tackle the situation," Dikshit said.

Tuesday, Dikshit assured that onion prices would stabilise in 10 days following the expected arrival of the fresh harvest.

With Diwali round the corner, the price rise is a cause of worry for people in the national capital. Dealers Monday said the rising trend in onion prices will continue.